Yanks notes: Teixeira managing bumps and bruises

Mark Teixeira was not in Monday’s lineup due to a tight left hamstring, adding to his laundry list of 2014 ailments. But the switch-hitting first baseman anticipated being in tonight’s lineup at Detroit.

"I came in [Monday] fully expecting to play, but knowing full well that a day off wouldn’t hurt," said Teixeira, who has been managing the discomfort since it developed last Thursday or Friday on the bases.

In April, Teixeira missed 14 games because of a strained right hamstring. He’s also missed time with discomfort in his surgically repaired right wrist, among other ailments.

With the Yankees in the midst of a stretch of 13 consecutive games, "Hopefully we’ll run him out the next six [games]," manager Joe Girardi said of the upcoming road series versus the Tigers and Blue Jays.

Gardner improving

Brett Gardner said his bruised right ankle had improved and he’s hopeful of returning to the lineup tonight. "I feel a lot better than I felt [Sunday]," said Gardner, who was out of the lineup Monday for a second straight game after fouling a ball off the ankle Saturday.

The swelling has mostly abated and Gardner said he was "encouraged" by the way he felt prior to testing the ankle on the field. Gardner will wear a protective guard when he returns.

The Yankees were also encouraged by Gardner’s batting practice indoors before the game.

Briefs

Masahiro Tanaka is due to throw three innings or 45 pitches in a simulated game Thursday at Detroit, the next step in his rehab from a strained right elbow. … Designated hitter Carlos Beltran (elbow) could resume playing a game in the outfield this week according to Girardi. … Two Yankees minor-leaguers were hit with 50-game bans for amphetamine use: Class A RHP Andy Beresford and Rookie League 1B Bo Thompson.